Strong parts**

Wide range of materials

Accessible to all engineers

Fiber™ offers users exceptional part quality and a wide range of engineering-grade materials—all on a user-friendly, desktop printer.

_Benefits

[01]

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Strong parts

Fiber™ combines the exceptional performance of continuous carbon fiber with the ease of FFF printing to produce high-performance parts that are stronger than steel, lighter than aluminum, and can operate continuously in the toughest environments up to 250 ºC.

Continuous fiber reinforcement

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Continuous carbon fiber or fiberglass tape is applied along critical load paths in a process called Micro Automated Fiber Placement (µAFP). Layers of highly loaded continuous fiber tape are laminated to build fully-dense, reinforced sections two times stronger than steel at <1/5 the weight (up to 2,500 MPa tensile strength and <1.5 g/cc).

Low porosity

Utilizing carbon fiber and fiberglass tapes made with 12k continuous fiber tows, up to 60% fiber volume fraction, and exceptional resin impregnation, Fiber™ is able to achieve continuous fiber reinforcement with less than 1% porosity.

Widest range of materials

Fiber™ prints with two printheads—one dedicated to continuous carbon fiber and fiberglass tape; one dedicated to chopped carbon fiber and fiberglass-reinforced filament. Designed for versatility, the printer supports a wide range of fiber-reinforced composites to enable a broad set of applications from consumer electronics to automotive.

PEKK + Continuous Carbon Fiber

PEKK is characterized by its high tensile and compression strength, resistance to chemical abrasion and ability to withstand high temperatures (above 250­­ °C). When reinforced with carbon fiber, the resulting parts are exceptionally durable and safe for operations where ESD compliance is required.

PEEK + Continuous Carbon Fiber

PEEK is characterized by its exceptional mechanical properties. In addition to high resistance to surface abrasion, it is inherently flame retardant, and can withstand high temperatures (above 200­­ °C). When combined with continuous carbon fiber, the resulting composite is strong, stiff and well-suited for extreme environments.

Nylon (PA6) + Continuous Carbon Fiber

Our PA6 nylon with carbon fiber reinforcement boasts a tensile strength 30x stronger than ABS and a high fatigue level—making it great for high-wear manufacturing jigs and fixtures.

Nylon (PA6) + Continuous Fiberglass

Fiberglass-reinforced nylon is a low-cost material which renders lightweight, high-strength and corrosion-resistant parts—making it ideal for sporting goods applications where parts are exposed to the elements and have a low per-part target cost

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_Benefits

[03]

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Accessible to all

With a wide range of materials, easy-to-use platform, and affordable subscription tiers, Fiber™ offers high-quality composite 3D printing at a price point every engineer and designer can access.

Easy to use

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In a matter of minutes, users can begin 3D printing industrial-grade composites from the comfort of their desktop. Entry-level settings and opt-in advanced controls allow every engineer to produce high-quality composite parts at the press of a button.

Affordable

With introductory pricing starting at just $3,495/yr and boasting superior materials and a large build envelope, Fiber™ offers unrivaled utility at just a fraction of the upfront cost of other industrial continuous fiber composite printers.*** With Fiber™, engineers no longer have to trade between high quality, speed, and affordability.

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Material performance

_Strength

Continuous fiber composites exponentially expand the material performance landscape by a factor of over 60x.

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Chopped Fiber

Most thermoplastic printers fall within a narrow range:

— <8 GPa tensile modulus

— <100 MPa strength

Minor enhancements within this range are achieved via modifications to polymers or with the addition of chopped carbon fiber and fiberglass fillers.

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Continuous Fiber

Existing 3D-printed polymer and composite materials only account for a small fraction of engineering needs.

Part anatomy

An end-to-end solution.

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Printer

Printer

Fiber™ is the only composite 3D printer to use Micro Automated Fiber Placement (μAFP)—unlocking exceptional part strength for a desktop printer. Featuring closed-loop heat control, the µAFP head constructs a high-density, continuous fiber reinforcement while the FFF printhead enables a high-resolution exterior shell.

Printer

Fiber™ is the only composite 3D printer to use Micro Automated Fiber Placement (μAFP)—unlocking exceptional part strength for a desktop printer. Featuring closed-loop heat control, the µAFP head constructs a high-density, continuous fiber reinforcement while the FFF printhead enables a high-resolution exterior shell.

Materials

Materials

The Fiber™ materials library is categorized by family—or thermoplastic material. Our current library features three material families: Nylon (PA6), PEEK, and PEKK, which can be reinforced by carbon fiber- and fiberglass μAFP tapes.

Part Gallery

Brake Duct

PEEK + CF

Found on a BMW hill climb car, this duct reroutes air from the front of the car to cool its brakes.

Brake Duct

Size (mm)130 x 63 x 97

Cost ($)54.92

Weight (g)65

Print time (hr)11

Printing on Fiber enables optimization for the most efficient air flow, leading to better cooling. Brakes get extremely hot during competition, PEKK + CF provides heat resistance and is lighter than an aluminum alternative.

Ski Binding

PA6 + CF

The ski binding heel track attaches to the base plate on a ski, allowing the heel binding to be adjusted.

Ski Binding

Size (mm)143 x 57 x 10

Cost ($)6.24

Weight (g)25

Print time (hr)5

Ski bindings need to be extremely stiff to withstand the forces experienced by the ski as it turns, making composites an ideal choice.

Using Fiber™, manufacturers can prototype this part before it is mass produced via injection molding.

Rocket Tail Cone

PEEK + CF

This part sits at the end of a rocket, redirecting air for optimal aerodynamics

Rocket Tail Cone

Size (mm)155 x 155 x 157

Cost ($)297.08

Weight (g)350

Print time (hr)31

This part has to withstand the extreme heat of a rocket engine, so it must be fabricated using a high temperature material like PEEK. With the design freedom of Fiber, engineers were also able to add complex features to improve aerodynamics.

Curling Whip

PA6 + FG

Used in wheelchair curling, this part allows athletes to push curling stones from a seated position.

Curling Whip

Size (mm)129 x 46 x 33

Cost ($)11.24

Weight (g)37

Print time (hr)7

The shape and weight of the whip are critical to the athlete’s performance. Plastic alternatives often break during competition and machined aluminum requires long CNC milling lead times and labor.

Fiber enables the rapid production of custom whip geometry, while continuous fiberglass reinforcement provides a lighter and stiffer alternative to aluminum.

Mirror Mount

PA6 + CF

This part attaches a rear-view mirror to the roll cage on a BMW race car.

Mirror Mount

Size (mm)75 x 97 x 37

Cost ($)6.47

Weight (g)65

Print time (hr)10

Printing this mount on Fiber delivers a part 4X lighter than the original aluminum design, while maintaining strength and durability. In racing, weight is everything, and reducing weight leads to faster times.

Surfboard Fin

PA6 + FG

A hydrofoil mounted on the underside of a surfboard, the fin enables foot-steering and improves stability.

Composites are ideal for this part due to their high strength. In this case, the part is made from PA6 nylon with fiberglass reinforcement to keep costs low and to resist corrosion.

GRIT Lever Connectors

PA6 + FG

A pair of these level connectors are used in custom, all-terrain wheelchairs.

GRIT Lever Connectors

Size (mm)86 x 89 x 47

Cost ($)12.67

Weight (g)78

Print time (hr)12

All-terrain wheelchairs manufactured by Grit are powered entirely by the user - making weight reduction, strength, and stiffness critical to performance. Traditionally machined out of aluminum in custom low quantities, these level connectors typically require a multiple week lead time.

Printing on Fiber in fiberglass-reinforced PA6 enables shorter lead times, reduced weight and greater customization - all while increasing part strength and stiffness.

Balance Shaft Gears

PEKK + CF

This part is a balance shaft gear used in an automotive turbocharger to reduce vibration.

Balance Shaft Gears

Size (mm)117 x 117 x 15

Cost ($)53.37

Weight (g)63

Print time (hr)11

Printing in PEEK delivers a lighter part compared to metal counterparts, while still meeting the strength and heat requirements.

With the ability to print industrial-grade composites like PEEK with continuous carbon fiber reinforcement, Fiber™ allows engineers to print parts that can stand up to high temperatures and have unrivaled part strength - without spending tens of thousands of dollars.

Press Brake Tooling

PA6 + CF

These press brake tools are used to bend aluminum sheet metal.

Press Brake Tooling

Size (mm)95 x 127 x 80, 91 x 64 x 51

Cost ($)162.6, 46.73

Weight (g)364, 105

Print time (hr)33, 11

Many sheet metal applications require custom press brake tooling, but machining this custom tooling out of metal for short runs can be prohibitively expensive.

For low tonnage applications, printing on Fiber eliminates the need for machining costly metal tooling, greatly reducing manufacturing lead time and cost.

Bike Pedal Crank

PA6 + FG

Connecting arm responsible for attaching a pedal to the rear wheel crankset of a bike.

Bike Pedal Crank

Size (mm)205 x 46 x 24

Cost ($)22.82

Weight (g)66

Print time (hr)9

Shedding weight is critical for performance bikes. Composites are an ideal choice for bike components like this due to their high specific strength and stiffness.

Printing on Fiber in fiberglass-reinforced PA6 allows for the manufacture of a corrosion resistant, low cost, functional prototype without the typical labor-intensive process of hand layup.

Assembly Fixture

PA6 + CF

This fixture is used to hold a sheet metal housing while fasteners and electronics are installed.

Assembly Fixture

Size (mm)80 x 61 x 14.3

Cost ($)2.24

Weight (g)15

Print time (hr)3

Assembly fixtures improve consistency and speed operator assembly by holding the work piece in the same location for each unit.

By printing the part on Fiber, the fixture can be manufactured extremely quickly and affordably while still conforming to the exact dimensions of the housing being assembled.

Skydiving Camera Mount

PA6 + GF

This mount attaches a camera to the helmet of a skydiver.

Skydiving Camera Mount

Size (mm)64 x 84 x 14

Cost ($)3.89

Weight (g)16

Print time (hr)3

Glass fiber reinforced PA6 allows for high specific stiffness to withstand those forces at a low cost. This part has to support the weight of the camera while being hit with 100mph+ winds during free fall.

BattleBots Bot Motor Housing

PEEK + CF

Created for a BattleBots, this motor housing was custom-designed to hold an electric motor.

BattleBots Bot Motor Housing

Size (mm)108 x 128 x 24.3

Cost ($)63.68

Weight (g)75

Print time (hr)10

This part holds a motor in place on a combat robot used in the Discovery Channel program, BattleBots. During competition, the bots are subjected to competitors weapons, including saws, axes, and flamethrowers. To withstand the significant stresses and heat, PEEK with Carbon Fiber reinforcement was selected.

On the show, BattleBots teams have very limited time to design and manufacture their bot, so utilizing 3DP is essential. By printing this motor housing, the team was able to get the part in their hands in just a few hours. This allowed them to quickly iterate on the part.

UHF Housing

PEKK + CF

Ultra high frequency radio housing for use in a cubesat.

UHF Housing

Size (mm)95 x 67 x 36

Cost ($)60.51

Weight (g)54

Print time (hr)20.6

Due to the extreme temperatures this part will face in space, this part was printed using PEKK.

Printing this part allowed the cubesat team to quickly iterate on the design in its intended material, and producing multiple variations in a matter of days. The complex geometry and small features of this part make it ideal for printing.

Shroud Holder

PA6 + CF

This fixture is used to hold metal injection molded shrouds for secondary machining operations.

Shroud Holder

Size (mm)143 x 30 x 22

Cost ($)6.71

Weight (g)45

Print time (hr)7

Designed to hold metal injection molded shrouds in place as an articulated robot picks them up and places them in a CNC fixture. This part features customized geometry that conforms to the shrouds’ shape.

Due to their stiffness and wear resistance, composites are ideal for this part.

Heat Shield

PEEK + CF

This heat shield protects the surrounding area of the car from hot exhaust.

Heat Shield

Size (mm)187 x 142 x 83

Cost ($)18.72

Weight (g)22

Print time (hr)5.25

This heat shield can be produced in just a few hours, drastically reducing manufacturing lead time.

The original aluminum heat shield became hot enough to char CF components under the car. PEEK + CF is far less conductive than aluminum, solving this problem and saving weight at the same time.

Machining Fixture

PEEK + CF

This fixture holds lock barrels in place during a secondary reaming operation.

Machining Fixture

Size (mm)212 x 72 x 26

Cost ($)62.31

Weight (g)145

Print time (hr)18

To achieve desired tolerances, metal injection molded (MIM) parts, such as lock barrels, often require secondary machining operations. The fixtures for these operations must be very stiff to hold lock barrels steady while experiencing the forces and vibration of the reamer.

By printing the part on Fiber, the fixture can be manufactured overnight, with similar material properties to aluminum saving both time and money

Rocket Fin

PEEK + CF

Custom rocket fin used for an experimental testing rocket.

Rocket Fin

Size (mm)129 x 48 x 6

Cost ($)22.47

Weight (g)14

Print time (hr)2.5

Fins are critical to keep a rocket stable in flight, but must be custom designed for each rocket to ensure optimal flight. Rather than solely relying on simulations to determine how fins will perform, 3D printing enables designers to create functional prototypes and iterate on geometry based on testing.

With its high specific strength and temperature resistance, carbon fiber reinforced PEKK is an ideal choice of material.

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Applications by Industry

_Industries

Explore applications for 3D printing across a range of industries.

Automotive

For automotive manufacturers, 3D printing opens new opportunities for rapid prototyping, creating parts with more complexity than ever before, identifying opportunities for assembly consolidation and exploring new business models centered around on-demand production.

Consumer Goods

Manufacturers of consumer goods can use 3D printing for rapid prototyping and testing of new designs for both functionality and market feedback, and as a flexible manufacturing line for low-volume and regionally-targeted production that allows greater design freedom for product customization.

Education

By investing in 3D printing, educational institutions provide students the tools to bring their work to life, help them build important career skills and enable them to act as additive manufacturing champions when they enter the workforce.

Machine Design

Using 3D printing, machine designers can print and test multiple part variations, create geometry that cannot be machined, consolidate large assemblies into fewer parts and reduce warehousing costs by printing custom parts on demand.

Manufacturing Tooling

For companies that produce manufacturing tooling, 3D printing can be an invaluable resource, allowing them to quickly and inexpensively produce complex, custom tooling and easily replace tools when needed, reducing downtime on manufacturing lines.